Headlamp

ABSTRACT

A headlamp which can be worn by a surgeon for projecting a beam of light from a point between his eyes. A periscopic mirror and lens arrangement is utilized to direct light from a prefocused bulb to a projection lens which is articulated on a generally vertical plane between the wearer&#39;&#39;s eyes. A headband of novel construction is provided in which overlapping ends of a strip of resilient material are spring loaded to girdle the wearer&#39;&#39;s head. The lamp is adjustably connected by a ball joint to a pair of links which are pivotally carried at their rear ends in a slotted bracket attached to the headband.

O United States Patent [151 3,646,341

Klatskin Feb. 29, 1972 [54] HEADLAMP 2,539,104 l/l95l Rodel ..240/59 X mentor: Morris Khmkin l I810 National Blvd. 3,086,516 4/l963 Scott ..240/59 X Los Angeles' 90064 Primary Examiner-Jerry W. Myracle (22] Filed; June 0 970 Attorney-Nilsson, Robbins, Wills & Berliner 1 PP 45,080 57 1 ABSTRACT A headlamp which can be worn by a surgeon for projecting a [52] U.S. Cl ..240/59, 240/4115 beam of light from a point between his eyes. A periscopic mir- [51] Int. Cl. ..A6lh 1/06 ror and lens arrangement is utilized to direct light from a [58] Field of Search ..240/59, 4H5, 41.1 prefocused bulb to a projection lens which is articulated on a generally vertical plane between the wearer's eyes. A head- 5 References Cited band of novel construction is provided in which overlapping ends of a strip of resilient material are spring loaded to girdle UNITED STATES PATENTS the wearer's head. The lamp is adjustably connected by a ball joint to a pair of links which are pivotally carried at their rear Nash X ends in a sxotted bracket attached to the headband. 2,110,132 3/1938 Douglas..... ..240/41 2,353,537 7/1944 Amesen ..240/59 X 10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEmms I972 8,646,341

INVENTOR. Mom/s KLATsK/A/ BY HEADLAMP FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of art to which the invention pertains includes the field of illumination, particularly as it pertains to surgical or dental spotlights and diagnostic lamps.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Lighting conditions in hospital operating rooms have improved in recent years, utilizing multiple light sources or overhead illumination in conjunction with mirrors or other reflecting surfaces. However, shadows are present in small, deep body cavities such as the ears, nose and throat. Light intensity in such cavities is generally much lower than desirable. In an effort to overcome these drawbacks, a variety of headlamps have been proposed which may be worn by a doctor during examination or by a surgeon during surgery. Such lamps are generally cumbersome, generally do not project light in the same plane as the surgeon s vision, and often such lamps tend to heat up causing discomfort to the surgeon. Furthennore, the light beams projected by such lamps are generally not unifonn whereas it is more desirable to project a fairly uniform disc of high-intensity light which can be focused to the exact site of surgery or examination.

The present invention provides a headlamp which can be worn by a surgeon or the like. A projection lens is articulated on a vertical plane between the wearers eyes so that all shadows are eliminated, and an adjustable beam of light is projected forwardly in the wearers line of vision. Simple optics are utilized to provide a beam of light which is slightly brighter in the center, enabling the beam to more satisfactorily illuminate the inner depths of a deep cavity. The construction of the invention provided herein is relatively simple so as to enable the ready manufacture of the headlamps at a reasonable cost, and the entire instrument is sufficiently light in weight and compact as to be comfortable to the wearer. A prefocused bulb is carried vertically above the projection lens in a housing designed to promote cooling of the bulb so that the headlamp is relatively cool at all times.

A unique headband construction is provided which enables the headlamp to be readily slipped on and off and fits a wide range of head sizes. Means are also provided interconnecting the headband and lamp which enables the projection lens to be articulated so as to be positioned exactly between and on a plane defined by the wearers eyes.

In particular, the present invention provides a support member in the form of a headband carrying an articulating member which is connected to a headlamp assembly. The headlamp assembly includes a condensing lens, an electric bulb, and means for directing light from the condensing lens to a projection lens. The bulb is a prefocused bulb having electrical contacts at its bottom end and a keyhole slotted positioning flange spaced upwardly from the bottom end of the bulb. The headlamp includes a base carrying electrical contacts for mating engagement with the bulb and carrying posts for the keyhole slot. A housing is connected to the base and is formed to inclose the bulb and clamp the positioning flange of the bulb to the posts. The housing also serves as a chimney for the bulb, and in this regard is spaced from the base and vented at the top end thereof whereby air may circulate about the bulb, using the heat of the bulb to induce a positive flow of air around the bulb and its base.

The headband is formed of a strap of resilient material having its ends overlapped to define an overlap region. A spring is secured to the strap at a first position spaced from the overlapped region and secured to one of the ends whereby to bias the headband to a closed position. An articulation assembly is carried by the headband and is defined by a slotted bracket through which is disposed a sliding pin joint carried at the rear end of a pair of connecting links. The forward ends of the connecting links are formed with opposing concave enlargements spaced inwardly from their forward edges and which engage the sides of a ball joint carried on a stud rearwardly of the lamp assembly. Means are provided for clamping the links to the ball to set the position of the lamp assembly. Sideward pivoting of the lamp assembly is limited by abutment of the forward edges of the links against the ball joint stud.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view showing the headlamp in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective, exploded view of the headlamp, with components thereof broken away for clarity;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the headlamp with portions broken away for clarity;

FIG. 4 is a view taken on line 44 of FIG. 3, in the direction of the arrows; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the headband after detachment from the lamp.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION As required, a detailed illustrative embodiment of the invention is disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that this embodiment merely exemplified the invention which may take many different forms and which may be radically different from the specific illustrative embodiment disclosed. Therefor, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims defining the scope of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a headlamp shown as worn by a surgeon, dentist, or other person having need for a concentrated beam of light while having his hands free. The headlamp includes a headband 10, a lamp assembly 12 and an articulation bracket assembly 14. The lamp assembly 12 is constructed so that light is directed through a projection lens 16 which is carried on a generally vertical plane between the wearers eyes and is aligned, by means of the articulation bracket assembly 14, substantially on a plane defined across the wearers eyes to that the lens 16 projects a light beam forwardly of the wearers face in his line of vision.

Referring now to FIG. 2, details of construction of the lamp assembly 12 are illustrated. The headlamp derives its simplicity and desirable characteristics by a unique assembly of relatively simple components. A low-voltage, high-intensity, prefocused bulb 18 is supported on the top side of a baseplate 20 and the projection lens I6 is supported beneath the baseplate 20. Light is directed from the bulb 18 to a condensing lens 100, and then to the projection lens 16 by means of a periscopic mirror assembly 22 secured rearwardly to the baseplate 20. A cylindrical housing 24 is carried by the baseplate 20, enclosing the light bulb 18, but is fonned with reflecting surfaces and vent openings as will be detailed hereinafter, so as to serve both as a chimney and shield for the light bulb 18. A mounting plate carrying upn'ght support members 28 for the prefocused bulb and electrical contacts 30 on the base, and fastening screws such as 32, complete the lens assembly 12. The result is a low-cost, lightweight, compact lamp assembly which is easily used and adjusted and which projects an intense beam of substantially uniform light, as will hereinafter be described in detail.

The prefocused bulb 18 has a relatively small concentrated filament and a conventional positioning flange 34 having three keyhole slots 36, formed radially about the base 42 of the bulb. The bulb 18 is provided with a pair of electrical contacts 44 and 46 (FIG. 3) projecting downwardly from the bottom surface of the bulb base 42. The mounting plate 26 is formed with a central aperture 48 so that when positioned on the base 20, the electrical contacts 30, which are spring-formed, extend through the aperture 48 for connection with the bulb contacts 44 and 46. The upright support members 28 are aligned with respect to the keyhole slots 36 so as to align the bulb contacts 44 and 46 with the base contact 30. In this regard, each upright support member 28 includes a relatively wide-mounting post 50 and narrower-mounting pin 52 for engagement with the wide and narrow ends respectively of the keyhole slots 36 in the bulb-positioning flange 34. The

keyhole slots 36 and support members 28 are radially disposed in such manner that alignment of the positioning flange 34 onto the support members 28 is only possible with orientation which results in alignment with the bulb and base contacts. in assembly, the mounting plate 26 is secured to the base by means of screws such as 32 threaded through openings such as 54 and 56 formed therefor through baseplate 20 and mounting plate 26 respectively. The bulb 18 is merely placed with its positioning flange 34 on the support members 28. The cylindrical housing 24 is then connected to the base 20.

The manner of connection of the housing 24 to the base 20 contributes to the simplicity and efficiency of assembly of the headlamp, The housing 24 is generally cylindrical in shape with an open bottom end 58 and a closed top end 60. 1t is formed with a pair of clamp members 62 and 64, depending from the bottom end 58 for engagement with a corresponding pair of rectangular apertures 66 and 68 defined through the baseplate 20. The clamp members 62 and 64 have their inner surfaces cut away to define opposing recesses 70 and 72. During assembly the clamp members 62 and 64 are pushed into the baseplate apertures 66 and 68 so that inner adjacent portions 74 and 76 of the baseplate are clamped within the clamp member recesses 70 and 72, By such means, the housing 24 is secured upright from the baseplate 20 and is spaced therefrom (indicated at 78 in FIG. 3). Three flanges 80 (only one is shown in the drawing) are formed internally of the housing 24 spaced from the bottom end 58 thereof so as to engage the positioning flange 34 of the bulb 18 when the housing 24 is clamped to the base 20. Spacing of the flanges 80 from the bottom end 58 of the housing is such that the bulb 18 is tightly secured against the support member 28 with its contacts 44 and 46 engaged with the baseplate contacts 30.

Referring additionally to FIGS. 3 and 4, the housing 24 is formed rearwardly with a downwardly turned hooked member 82 which engages the flange 84 extending upright from the periscope 22. The housing 24 defines an opening 84 rearwardly thereof adjacent the light bulb 18 so that light may be projected from the bulb 18 through the condensing lens 100 and into the periscope assembly 22 as hereinafter described. As noted above, the housing 24 is spaced from the baseplate 20 by means of the clamp members 62 and 64 so that a space is provided between the housing bottom end 58 and the baseplate 20, and vent openings 86 are defined through the wall of the housing 24 adjacent its top end 60. Air can thus circulate between the space 78, around the base of bulb 42, past the bulb l8 and through the vent openings 86, thereby maintaining the lamp assembly 12 in a relatively cool condition.

As a further aid in cooling of the lamp assembly 12, the housing 24 is formed with a dull, black, highly thermal emissive outer surface, and internally, the housing 24 is formed with a highly reflective, aluminized surface, which serves to prevent the housing 24 from absorbing heat from the bulb 18. However, as a result of such high-intemal reflection and the nature of the optics utilized herein, a virtual image of the filament of the prefocused bulb 18 may be formed and may interfere in some cases with entirely satisfactorily use of the light beam. This problem is solved by breaking of the reflective inner surface of the housing 24 at a region opposite the opening 84, and this is accomplished in the present embodiment by the provision of a plurality of vertical serration ribs 88 on such surface, and as a result thereof filament images are entirely eliminated.

The periscopic assembly 22 includes a pair of oppositely disposed mirrors 90 and 92 arranged in periscopic fashion within an elongated light tight box 94 formed with an opening 96 which is disposed coincident with the housing opening 84. Retaining flanges 98 are disposed perimetrically about the periscope opening 96 for retention of a condensing lens 100 in the opening. The bottom of the periscope box 94 is extended into a cylindrical sleeve 102 into which a lens mount 104 carrying the projection lens 16 is telescopically disposed. The lens mount 104 is formed to frictionally slide in and out of the sleeve 102 for focusing of the light beam as appropriate. In

further embodiments, the lens mount 104 can secure a number of lenses and be reversible to obtain wider and narrower beams as desired.

The bracket assembly 14 is constructed so as to enable the projection lens 16 to be articulated on a generally vertical plane between the wearers eyes. The light beam can thus be projected forwardly in the wearers line of vision and be aligned substantially on a plane defined by the wearer's eyes. To accomplish this, the bracket assembly 14 includes a headband mount bracket 106 which is secured to the headband 10 by means of a pair of bolts 108 or the like. The bracket 106 carries a center flange which is formed with a vertical slot 112. The lamp assembly 12 is formed with a stud 114 projecting rearwardly from the periscope box 94 and which terminates in a ball joint 116. The mount bracket 106 and ball joint 116 are interconnected by means of a pair of linkage members 118 and 120 disposed on opposite sides of the bracket center flange and ball joint 116. A pivot bar 122 centrally interconnects the linkage members 118 and which bend inwardly therefrom for engagement with the bracket center flange 110 and the ball joint 116. The forward ends of the linkage members 118 and 120 are internally formed with opposing concave enlargements 124 and 126 so as to accommodate the ball joint 116. The enlargements 124 and 126 are spaced inwardly from the forward edges 128 and 130 of the linkage members 118 and 120 so that the horizontal movement of the stud is limited to about 10 of rotation by reason of the interference with the stud 114 with the forward edges 128 and 130. One of the linkage members 120 is formed with threaded openings 132 and 134, one opening 132 being coincident with the slot 112, the other opening being disposed on the opposite side of the pivot bar 122. The opposite linkage member 118 defines a pair of corresponding openings 136 and 138 through which thumbscrews 140 and 142 respectively are threaded. The thumbscrew 140 is disposed through the slot 112 and serves as a sliding pin joint for the linkage members 118 and 120.

The projection lens 16 can be secured in any desired vertical position by merely tightening the thumbscrew 140 to lock the linkage members 118 and 120 to the bracket flange 110. The extent of projection of the lamp assembly 12 from the wearers face can also be controlled by the thumbscrew 140. The vertical and horizontal rotation position of the projection lens 16 can be secured by means of rotating the thumbscrew 142 until the ball joint 116 is locked between the linkage members 118 and 120. By such means, any desired adjustment of the projection lens can be obtained.

Referring now to FIG. 5, there is illustrated the headband 10 utilized to carry the lamp assembly 12. The headband 10 is shown with the mount bracket 106 secured thereon by means of the bolts, such as 108. The band is formed by curving a strap of resilient material, such as polyethylene plastic, leather or other flexible material, about itself and threading a narrowly formed end 144 through an opening 146 defined through the opposite end 148 to thereby define an overlap region 150. The headband 10 is depicted in FIG. 5 in an open state, that is, as if it were on a wearers head and expanded. When the headband is removed from the wearers head, it assumes a shape whereby the narrow strap end 144 is slid entirely into an overlap region as shown by the bracket lines at 150. A spring 152 is connected to the mount bracket 106 by means of the bolt 108 (see also FIG. 4) and to the tip of the narrow strap band 144 by means of a grommet 1S4 therethrough. By such means, the headband 10 is automatically adjusted to a wide range of head sizes. The wearer need merely expand the headband 10 to an open position and place it on his head whereupon it will automatically assume the smallest configuration possible, closely securing itself to the wearers head, without any discomfort.

Electrical wires 156 leading from the contacts 30 (FIGS. 2 and 4) are led around the outer surface of the headband 10 and hooked through a pair of openings 158 formed rearwardly of the headband, insertion being aided by means of cut through lines 160 to the openings 158 The electrical wires 156 can be connected to a source of electrical current as appropriate.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a headlamp of relatively simple construction which can be easily and conveniently adjusted as desired to cast a beam directly forward of the wearers eyes, leaving no shadow and enabling the wearer to utilize both hands as freely as he desires. The headlamp can be easily adjusted so that it may be placed on a surgeons head by a nurse in the event that the surgeon has previously sterilized his hands and has put on his operating gloves. The unique headband construction accommodates to each individual wearers head for a comfortable and secure fit.

lclaim:

l. A headlamp comprising:

a housing;

a prefocused bulb disposed vertically in the longitudinal axis of said housing and having electrical contacts vertically downwardly;

a projection lens beneath said bulb;

a condensing lens adjacent said bulb;

reflecting members disposed in periscopic fashion between said condensing lens and said projection lens for directing light from said condensing lens to said projection lens for projection therethrough;

a support member formed to engage the head of a wearer;

and

an articulating member connecting between said support member and said projection lens for articulating said projection lens on a generally vertical plane between the wearer's eyes whereby to project said light forwardly in the wearers line of vision.

2. The invention according to claim 1 in which said lens is disposed in forward projection from the wearers face for alignment substantially on a plane defined by the wearers eyes.

3. The invention according to claim 1 in which said housing defines an opening adjacent said bulb and said condensing lens is disposed in said opening.

4. The invention according to claim 1 including a base for said bulb, said housing extending upwardly from said base and defining vent openings above and below said bulb.

5. The invention according to claim 4 in which said housing is formed with an open bottom portion spaced from said base.

6. The invention according to claim 1 including a stud carried rearwardly of said bulb and terminating in a ball, a pair of links connected at one end thereof to said support member and formed with opposing concave enlargements spaced inwardly from the other end thereof for engaging said ball, and

means for clamping said links to said ball to fix the disposition of said projection lens.

7. A headlamp comprising:

an electric bulb;

a projection lens;

a condensing lens;

means for directing light from said condensing lens to said projection lens for projection therethrough;

a support member formed to engage the head of a wearer;

and

an articulating member connecting between said support member and said projection lens for articulating said projection lens on a generally vertical plane between the wearers eyes whereby to project said light forwardly in the wearer's line of vision;

said bulb being formed with electrical contacts at the bottom thereof and a keyhole slotted positioning flange spaced upwardly from said bottom, said headlamp including a base carrying electrical contacts for mating engagement with said bulb contacts and positioning posts for said slots, and a housing formed to connect to said base to enclose said bulb, said housing being formed with means for engaging said positioning flange to clamp said positioning flange to said osts.

8. The invention accor ing to claim 7 including a mounting plate for said bulb formed to allow cooling air to flow around the base of said bulb.

9. The invention according to claim 8 in which said flange engaging means are formed to connect said bulb to said mounting plate solely by vertical movement thereof with respect to said plate.

10. A headlamp comprising:

an electric bulb;

a projection lens;

a condensing lens;

means for directing light from said condensing lens to said projection lens for projection therethrough;

a support member formed to engage the head of a wearer;

an articulating member connecting between said support member and said projection lens for articulating said projection lens on a generally vertical plane between the wearers eyes whereby to project said light forwardly in the wearer's line of vision; and

a housing enclosing said bulb and having a highly reflective inner surface;

said bulb being a prefocused bulb having a filament;

at least a portion of said reflective surface adjacent said bulb being deformed to prevent reflection of an apparent image of said filament through said lenses. 

1. A headlamp comprising: a housing; a prefocused bulb disposed vertically in the longitudinal axis of said housing and having electrical contacts vertically downwardly; a projection lens beneath said bulb; a condensing lens adjacent said bulb; reflecting members disposed in periscopic fashion between said condensing lens and said projection lens for directing light from said condensing lens to said projection lens for projection therethrough; a support member formed to engage the head of a wearer; and an articulating member connecting between said support member and said projection lens for articulating said projection lens on a generally vertical plane between the wearer''s eyes whereby to project said light forwardly in the wearer''s line of vision.
 2. The invention according to claim 1 in which said lens is disposed in forward projection from the wearer''s face for alignment substantially on a plane defined by the wearer''s eyes.
 3. The invention according to claim 1 in which said housing defines an opening adjacent said bulb and said condensing lens is disposed in said opening.
 4. The invention according to claim 1 including a base for said bulb, said housing extending upwardly from said base and defining vent openings above and below said bulb.
 5. The invention according to claim 4 in which said housing is formed with an open bottom portion spaced from said base.
 6. The invention according to claim 1 including a stud carried rearwardly of said bulb and terminating in a ball, a pair of links connected at one end thereof to said support member and formed with opposing concave enlargements spaced inwardly from the other end thereof for engaging said ball, and means for clamping said links to said ball to fix the disposition of said projection lens.
 7. A headlamp comprising: an electric bulb; a projection lens; a condensing lens; means for directing light from said condensing lens to said projection lens for projection therethrough; a support member formed to engage the head of a wearer; and an articulating member connecting between said support member and said projection lens for articulating said projection lens on a generally vertical plane between the wearer''s eyes whereby to project said light forwardly in the wearer''s line of vision; said bulb being formed with electrical contacts at the bottom thereof and a keyhole slotted positioning flange spaced upwardly from said bottom, said headlamp including a base carrying electrical contacts for mating engagement with said bulb contacts and positioning posts for said slots, and a housing formed to connect to said base to enclose said bulb, said housing being formed with means for engaging said positioning flange to clamp said positioning flange to said posts.
 8. The invention according to claim 7 including a mounting plate for said bulb formed to allow cooling air to flow around the base of said bulb.
 9. The invention according to claim 8 in which said flange engaging means are formed to connect said bulb to said mounting plate solely by vertical movement thereof with respect to said plate.
 10. A headlamp comprising: an electric bulb; a projection lens; a condensing lens; means for directing light from said condensing lens to said projection lens for projection therethrough; a support member formed to engage the head of a wearer; an articulating member connecting between said support member and said projection lens for articulating said projection lens on a generally vertical plane between the wearer''s eyes whereby to project said light forwardly in the wearer''s line of vision; and a housing enclosing said bulb and having a highly reflective inner surface; said bulb being a prefocused bulb having a filament; at least a portion of said reflective surface adjacent said bulb being deformed to prevent reflection of an apparent image of said filament through said lenses. 